West Java DPRD pushes for social forestry to boost farmer welfare

Bambang Mujiarto, Chairman of Commission II of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), is advocating for the optimization of social forestry programs to improve the welfare of forest farmers. During a working visit to the Bogor Social Forestry Center, Mujiarto emphasized that the forestry sector should serve as a tool to alleviate poverty and increase productivity, rather than focusing solely on environmental conservation.

He urged the West Java Provincial Government to provide more than just oversight by offering direct stimuli and education to forest farmers. Mujiarto noted that improving human resource capacity through training is essential for farmers to manage forest areas productively and effectively utilize their legal access to these lands.